The southern part of the San Andreas fault is overdue for a large earthquake, according to a study in the journal Nature. This end of the fault has not experienced a major rupture for at least 250 years and is now primed for a release of the built-up tension. The study by geophysicist Yuri Fialko provides the most precise measurements yet of this accumulated stress. But scientists cannot predict when another quake is likely to strike. The San Andreas fault runs for roughly 1287km (800 miles) through western and southern California in the US. It marks the meeting point of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. The southern segment begins near the Salton Sea and runs northward before bending to the west where it meets the San Bernardino Mountains. Los Angeles is the biggest city located near this part of the fault. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk

The world's top scientists have joined forces to call for "evidence-based" teaching of evolution in schools. A statement signed by 67 national science academies says evidence on the origins of life is being "concealed, denied, or confused" in some classes. It lists key facts on evolution that "scientific evidence has never contradicted". These include the formation of Earth 4.5 billion years ago, and the onset of life at least 2.5 billion years ago. "We know of schools in various parts of the world where the children are told that the Earth is about 8,000 years old," said Yves Quere, co-chair of the Inter Academy Panel on International Issues, the global network of science academies. "So in this statement we say you cannot teach this to children, it is wrong."...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5098608.stm

Iraqi police stormed a farm north of Baghdad early Thursday and freed at least 17 people who were snatched a day earlier in a mass kidnapping of 64 workers and family members at the end of a factory shift.The U.S. military Thursday reported four Marines and a soldier were killed in operations south and west of Baghdad, and an explosion of sectarian and revenge killings in Iraq's third largest city over the past three days claimed 24 lives.Nine days into a security crackdown in Baghdad, meanwhile, insurgent and sectarian bloodletting was muted, with no major violent incidents reported by midday.A bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded near a popular market in central Baghdad's Alawi district, killing two people and injuring 25 others....http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/22/ap/world/mainD8IDB6NO6.shtml

The United States said Thursday that a U.S. missile-defense system under development has "limited operational capability" to protect against weapons such as the long-range missile North Korea is said to be near firing. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley underscored U.S. calls for North Korea to abandon any plans for testing the missile believed capable of reaching U.S. soil. "We're watching it very carefully and preparations are very far along," Hadley said when asked about South Korea's assessment that a launch was not imminent."So you could, from a capability standpoint, have a launch," Hadley said. "Now what they intend to do which is what a lot of people are trying to read of course we don't know. What we hope they will do is give it up and not launch."Another form of worldwide gun control, our government can have any weapon it wants, but no one else can? Sounds like gun control to me. ...http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/22/ap/world/mainD8IDBVOO0.shtml

The Republican-led Senate on Thursday rejected Democratic plans to start the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq as senators cast votes expected to resonate in November elections to determine control of Congress. Republicans, embracing President George W. Bush's policies in the war that has caused his approval ratings to plummet, defeated two Democratic amendments to start the withdrawal of U.S. forces. A nonbinding resolution broadly backed by Democrats that urged Bush to start withdrawing troops this year but without setting a deadline for completion failed 60-39. Six Democrats and one Republican crossed party lines on the vote. Another amendment to put into law a plan to start withdrawing combat forces immediately and complete the process by next July failed 86-13. ...http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2107267

A motorcyclist died after he was struck by lightning while riding in rush hour traffic between Denver and Boulder, police said.Witnesses reported seeing a flash of light shortly before the motorcyclist struck the center divider on U.S. 36 Wednesday, police spokesman Tim Read said.Gary Missi, 46, of Longmont was pronounced dead at the scene....http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/22/motorcycle.lightning.ap/index.html?section=cnn_us